Each year billions of dollars are dropped in wicker baskets attached to poles, placed in shining metal plates, plopped into poor boxes attached to door post, or simply deducted from checking accounts. All of this money is cheerfully given by members of churches, synagogues and mosques spread out across America. In small towns and ever sprawling cities, these givers expect that their money is being used to support their House of Worship, propagate the faith, feed the hungry, clothe the poor, take care of the sick and infirmed, and do those things that will ultimately give us a better society.

After Christianity was “legalized,” buildings began to take on an increasing importance. In many cases, cathedrals and monuments were so ornate as to re-initiate the idea that the presence of God, or at least a facsimile of heaven could be housed in an inanimate structure. Down through history there has always been the tension of…

Whether one calls it a sanctuary, worship space, celebration room, nave, assembly hall, or great room, the focal point of a structure is the single most important room in the PraiseBuilding. Designing this space, (which for the purpose of this text, we will call the sanctuary) need not be complicated to design or expensive to…

All contracts must be in writing. Repeat after me – ALL CONTRACTS MUST BE IN WRITING! In a court of law it must be in writing to be enforceable.
The contract must have the full address of the property where the work will be completed. If you are building a church, you must be able to describe the parcel upon which the church is to be built. Use the tax map and parcel number, or the legal description, the street address or some other way of explaining to the world that the church is to be constructed HERE!
The name, address and telephone number of the party hiring the contractor. Normally the church’s mailing address and the name of the minister or property chairperson signing the contract is sufficient.
The contracting firm’s legal name, address and telephone number. Not that it is required, but this is a great place to insert the contractor’s license number if one is required in your state.

1. How long have you been in business?

2. In what kind of work do you specialize?

3. How did your firm get started?

4. How many employees do you have?

When buying land, the first thing is to ask the basic question. “Where do we need to be geographically?” If you were to say that you need to be within a five mile square of your current neighborhood or church – that is a good starting point.